Frockery challenges, 2022
Now that February is underway, we must apologise for not running the Frockery eco-fashion challenge this year. Too many commitments, two few staff, too little time and some of the worst storms in years have all conspired against us, so we are not holding a competition as such. However, we would still encourage customers, friends and supporters to share their vintage, preloved and hand-made looks through the usual channels in the spirit of celebrating sustainable style.
This April, we will mark our 15th birthday and the chief frocker is currently coasting towards to retirement - or at least semi-retirement as vintage fashion is so much more than a business! Having also downsized to a UK8 thanks to a new health and fitness regime over the course of the pandemic, expect to see pieces from her personal collection appear in the catalogue over the coming months.
It has undoubtedly been a difficult couple of years for small businesses and 2022 looks to be equally challenging with eye-watering increases in the cost of living for us all. We remain grateful for the support we have been shown by our loyal customers, supporters and friends, and thanks as ever to those who have taken the time to send us feedback and testimonials.
We are not very active on social media as we are kept busy with a steady flow of orders and enquiries, but we promise to try and do better on that front to showcase our carefully curated range of unique and affordable preloved pieces.
We'll meanwhile leave you with our Top 10 Eco-Fashion Tips which make eco-sense, not just for February but throughout the year!
1. RESIST temptation. Don’t buy it if you don’t need it! Your wardrobe is probably already bulging with impulse buys, many of which you have never worn, so you know it makes sense.
2. REJECT fast fashion outlets and cheap imports which have been transported halfway round the world, may have been produced by an exploited workforce, including child labour, in dangerous conditions, and will probably fall apart after one wash.
3. RETHINK your buying habits. Support ethical, fair trade businesses and ‘home grown’ designers.
4. REUSE clothing and accessories. Buy from vintage, second hand or charity shops, car boot sales and auction websites – or swap clothes with friends
5. REDISCOVER the back of your wardrobe and the darkest corners of your attic which may well harbour some long forgotten outfits that are yearning for a new lease of life.
6. RESTYLE your current wardrobe. Get the sewing box out, refashion a dress into a top and matching bag, add a few embellishments, chop off some sleeves, or just shorten a hemline or two.
7. REFRESH your ‘old’ clothes by adding belts, scarves and complementary accessories for an instant style update.
8. RECYCLE the clothing you no longer need. Drop it off at your local textile recycling bank, freecycle it, or else donate to charity.
9. RESELL your unwanted clothes on one of the internet auction sites or, if you don’t want to do it yourself, through a local or online dress agency.
10. RESEARCH environmentally friendly fashion alternatives which combine style with sustainability. We recommend Kate Fletcher’s Lifetimes project as a great starting point for both information and inspiration.